Solo Northfork Trip - 2012

This is going to be pretty unlike me, but it's been happening for a while now.  I just can't get into writing!  Even while on my annual solo trip, I literally wrote down (I know, a contradiction), "I just don't feel like writing."

The trip has been a long time coming...I've been actually talking about a solo trip since early this summer.  Well, everyone knows how it goes, things come up and priorities shift.  The worst one was a couple weeks ago when I wholeheartedly planned on making the trip, but ended up having to be at work so long on Friday that I bagged it.  That was okay, I was worrying about my brakes anyway.  After getting my rear brakes pads replaced and the rotors turned, I managed to lock my e-brake solid!  Turns out those cables were full of rust as they were factory on a truck that's 12 years old; it was time to replace them.  Back at the shop, after two days...finally had a reliable truck again.

So I made my plans and really didn't have to pack as it was still all ready to go.  I managed to finish up a rather large project by the end of the day on Thursday so I could leave with nothing hanging over my head.  I was in high spirits until the two hours of interestate driving and 17 miles of road construction got to me.  But then, FINALLY on dirt roads!  Boy it's dry out here and being late in the season, I actually missed some of the brilliant colors that is part of the draw.  Oh, and the smoke kinda affected the photo taking....



One of my favorite views...Idaho from the top of Hoodoo Pass.



Some color still on the hill up there

Sure enough, I had told a fella at work that I'd hit some fishing holes he really likes up near the headwaters.  So unlike my usual self, I did NOT establish a camp prior to "playing" and I took a quick walk upriver and tried his spots.  Well, his "awesome" holes were not so awesome...the water was LOW and the fish spooky.  They'd splash your fly once and watch as you tried to set the hook.  After that, they'd make sure you saw them come look at your fly and roll their eyes.  The only thing I managed to find up there was a curious bull moose watching me flail a small riffle.  He genuinly seemed interested in my casting technique..."Dude, try a roll cast.  Watcha got on anyways?  I think they're going for hoppers."

Well the camps up there were all taken and I reaallly didn't want to spend the weekend on what was now a creek, so I made my way through Black Canyon.  It was bizarre, all the spots that are always taken were empty!  Of course, the one time I committed myself to wanting to be on the big river.  Kinda a shame, there are some awesome cedar grove camps in there...

But, with all those open I was in high hopes to get my favorite spot, and sure enough, I did!!  Hidden camp!



Lazy Saturday morning



Err, moving along...

 

It really is a nice spot


After getting camp set up, I ran up Mush saddle like I always do to look for grouse.  That ended in nothing, but I was up there twice during the three days and came away with some photos.



"View" of Pot mountain, they've got a big fire over in Skull creek...




Looking south toward the Northfork



And FINALLY, after all these years, got a photo of me in the fern fields!



Kinda a steep climb though.  Glad I had a tripod...



I'm just captivated by acres and acres of five foot ferns


I started off fairly bummed out Saturday morning.  I felt "rushed" and "obligated" to do certain things.  Luckily I managed to get that out of my system by the afternoon and went fishing again.  This time, to an island across from camp.



The quintessential kokanee photo



Nice view of the other side

And up in that log jam I made quite a find!  Never knew there was a Jeanne creek up there.  (That's the name of my boss.)

Well that water in the background held the best fishing of the trip.  I think because no one really crosses the river to fish.  They don their waders, get up to their knees, and simply fish the road side at convenient looking holes / turnouts.  Sure enough though, every time I hooked up a car and people were stopped watching.  Gave away my new secret right off the bat!

On that note, I decided to take a photo of MY fishing uniform.  Utility at it's finest.


Not much to say about it...



It was odd that I just happened to have taken my pack...which has a folding saw in it at all times, so I could cut the post off the sign and pack it back across the river.

Just makes me giggle a little bit.



River view of my cozy camp


Overall, not much to report.  It took until Sunday before I was truly in a good mood and could relax.  I stayed in the tent for a bit in the morning and just read.  When I finally looked at my watch I LEPT to my feet and hastily packed up camp.  It was a lot later than I thought, so fishing on the way out was, well, out...so I just made the long drive back to town.  Kinda disappointing in the end...just when I started to get into the "groove," I had to bail.  Hmmm, at least I got it out of my system.  There's a lot I need to do yet this fall.


Found this guy Saturday morning.  Never knew they used their mandibles to hold on.



I almost sat on this critter since it blended in to the rock so well.

And the lovely Saturday evening view from camp.